Louisiana Warning: 8 Items You Should Never Carry in Your Wallet

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - I think one thing that all Louisiana residents can agree on is that thieves are the lowest of the low, well, I guess unless you're a thief.

Our job is to make the thief's job as hard as possible to hopefully deter them in victimizing us. With that said, there are certain things you need to never carry in your purse or wallet.

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We need to keep it to the necessities...the bare necessities of life...don't get me singing that song from The Jungle Book. We all need our Driver's license or a picture I.D., because it's the law, and maybe a debit or credit card to make purchases. Experts say the rest of the stuff in your purse and wallet should be left at home.

If you like paying in cash, make sure you aren't carrying large sums of money. Cash is untraceable if it's stolen from you and can be spent very quickly to eliminate the evidence.

In fact, if you're carrying a debit and/or credit card thieves these days can just walk past you with a specialized scanner and get your banking information.

And it's happening a lot in Louisiana, identity theft rose 64 percent (in the first half of 2025) from the same time period last year in 2024.

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WARNING: Louisiana Residents Should Never Carry These 8 Items in Their Wallets

• Extra Credit Cards

Carrying an excessive number of credit cards in your wallet may facilitate identity theft via digital means.

• Spare Keys

It might be simpler for criminals to take other belongings from you if you always have an extra key in your wallet or handbag.

• Birth Certificates

A thief would find identity theft incredibly simple as a result if taken.

• Gift Cards

Gift cards should still have to be treated like currency. They are nearly impossible to replace if lost or stolen.

• Cash

Paper money may be king, but carrying too much of it in your wallet makes you a prime target for burglars.

• Insurance Cards

Keeping your health insurance card on you may provide burglars with access to your personal data.

• Passport

It shouldn't be necessary for you to carry around both your passport and driver's license. Simply store your passport safely at home, and only bring it out when absolutely necessary.

• Social Security Card

Your personal information is accessed through your social security number. Never carry it in your wallet; instead, keep it locked away in a secure spot in your house.